BEIJING, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- Canada hopes to reap as much in rowing from the Beijing Olympics as from the Athens Games four years ago, an official with the Canadian team told Xinhua here on Monday.

    "We just want to win as much," Anne Merklinger, spokeswoman for the Canadian team, said in the mixed zone in Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park.

    "We had a great success in Athens. We want to reap as much," she said, adding that the team had accustomed to Beijng's climate and the venue.

    "In Canada, canoeing is as popular as rowing. We are very strong in ,men's canoeing and kayaking. Our women athletes are getting better and better," she said.

    Anne said that the Canadian team, consisting of 18 athletes (13 men, five women), arrived in Beijing on August 6 for the competitions. Usually, the team goes for contests one week earlier.

    Arriving 10 days before the competition this time was just for having more time for preparation, she added.

    Canada has reaped a total of 19 Olympic medals in canoe/kayak events on flatwater courses, including four gold medals. At Athens Olympic Games, the Canadian team reaped one silver and two bronze medals in the flatwater events.

    The flatwater competition kicked off in Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park on Monday. About 248 athletes from 50 countries and regions will contest in 12 events during the six-day races.